Illustration: a coordinated team order starts with separate garment and size choices.
Ordering printed clothing for a business, club, school or event is easier when the important decisions are made before production begins. The garment, size breakdown, artwork, decoration positions and deadline all affect the most suitable approach.
This guide explains what to prepare before contacting Time for Designs and how we assess a printed clothing order. We use flock, printed graphics, heat-applied vinyl and sublimation where each process is appropriate.
Start with how the clothing will be used
Tell us whether the garments are for everyday work, an event, a club, a school group, a promotional campaign or occasional staff use. Clothing worn outdoors or in a demanding work environment may need different garments and decoration from a lightweight event T-shirt.
The intended use helps determine fabric, garment weight, visibility, comfort and the decoration method that makes practical sense.
Choose the garment before finalising the decoration
T-shirts, polo shirts, hoodies, sweatshirts, jackets and high-visibility garments behave differently under heat and during use. Not every decoration process suits every fabric.
If you have not selected garments, describe what you need and your approximate budget rather than guessing. If you already have a specific garment in mind, send its fabric composition and product details so compatibility can be checked.
Prepare an accurate size breakdown
A total quantity is not enough to place a clothing order. Prepare the number required in each size and note whether different garments, colours or fits are involved.
Ask wearers to confirm sizes rather than relying on assumptions. Garment sizing can vary between brands and styles. Changes made after ordering or production has started may delay the job or require additional garments.
A useful size list separates the item, colour and fit as well as the size. “Twenty tops” leaves several decisions unresolved. A breakdown such as “navy polo, chosen fit, medium: four” is an illustrative format, not a stocked product or quotation.
Collect one line for each combination and add the quantities. Check that the sum matches the total requested. If the same people receive polos and hoodies, do not assume their chosen size is identical in both. Ask for the relevant size information for each agreed style.
Keep the first enquiry simple. You do not need to send a list of staff contact details. Where individual printed names or numbers are required, provide the exact text for those items through the agreed order process and have one person check it.
Send the best artwork available
Original logo files or print-ready PDFs are normally preferable to screenshots, photographs of a logo or images copied from social media. Better artwork produces cleaner edges, clearer lettering and more reliable colours.
If the artwork is not ready, send what you have along with the correct wording and colours. We can inspect it and explain what preparation may be required before decoration.
Decide where the branding should appear
Common positions include a small left-chest logo, a larger back design, sleeve details, names, numbers, staff roles and sponsor information. Each additional position affects preparation and production.
Keep the purpose in mind. Workwear normally benefits from clear, readable information rather than overcrowding every available area.
Selecting flock, vinyl, print or sublimation
Flock creates a soft, raised finish for suitable bold designs. Heat-applied vinyl produces crisp lettering and shapes. Printed graphics handle more detailed or multi-colour artwork. Sublimation becomes part of suitable polyester material and is not appropriate for every garment or colour.
We recommend a method after reviewing the fabric, design and intended use. Our durable printed workwear guide explains these methods in greater detail.
Allow time for checking and approval
Provide the required date when making the enquiry. Turnaround depends on garment availability, artwork preparation, quantity, decoration method and the current production schedule.
Bring comments together before sending corrections. The final check should cover the garment choices, size quantities, artwork version, positions and any individual text. Keep approved information separate from working notes.
Tell us when you need the clothing and why. Confirm the collection or delivery arrangement: a date in an enquiry is not a promised production date. If anything changes, explain the change before treating a revised file as approved.
Plan for future additions
Keep a record of garment styles, colours, decoration positions and approved artwork. This can make future additions more consistent, although product availability and colour batches may change over time.
If staff turnover is likely, consider whether names are necessary on every item and whether a simpler role-based layout would be easier to maintain.
What affects the quotation?
Quotations depend on the garment, quantities, size range, artwork preparation, decoration method, number of positions and deadline. This is why a generic online price rarely reflects the complete job accurately.
Separate the confirmed choices from the questions
Mark what you know and what you need help choosing. You may know the quantity and deadline but not the best garment. You may have a logo but need advice about readable placement. Saying “not decided yet” is more useful than guessing a specification that later has to change.
Explain whether existing clothing needs matching or the team is starting afresh. Send the details available, but let current availability and compatibility be assessed. A previous item or screen colour does not confirm an exact match.
Send your Workwear requirements
Visit our Printed Workwear service page, call 062 61524, or WhatsApp 085 858 1906. Include the garment type, quantity, size breakdown, intended use, print positions, deadline and artwork.